SAASTA Debates give confidence to young scientific minds
"Using debates to engage scientific issues, provides a platform for learners to make scientific information relevant to them, through the understanding of social, cultural, economic and broader implications," added Nukeri.
MBOMBELA – Suikerland Secondary School in Malalane was crowned the provincial winners of the 2014 South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (Saasta) School Debates competition at Penryn College.
Scientifically generated solutions to the drinking-water challenges South Africans face as well as the global dilemma were debated with the topic, “Do you think investment in nanotechnology research will provide a feasible solution to our water challenges?
Learners of each team randomly selected one of five different perspectives of science communication from which to argue their standpoints. The perspectives were economic, socio-cultural, utilitarian, democratisation of science and advancement of science.
According to Saasta, the competition aims to encourage young people to address key issues around science and technology that are faced by their communities, through the medium of debate. Conceived and hosted by Saasta, a business unit of the National Research Foundation, the programme seeks to foster the confidence in high school pupils from grade 9 to 11 to speak about science. It also gives participants the opportunity to develop research, critical thinking and information-literacy skills, as well as the ability to work as a team to present logical and clear arguments.
“It is well known that the development of science, engineering, technology and innovation has a distinct bearing on the overall economic development of any country,” said Dr Jabu Nukeri, managing director of Saasta. “In order to solve our country’s deep and pressing socio-economic challenges, South Africa needs skills to help the country compete internationally, grow economically and to generally improve the lives of its citizens. Saasta’s goal is to steer young South African minds towards careers in science, engineering, technology and innovation.”
“Using debates to engage scientific issues, provides a platform for learners to make scientific information relevant to them, through the understanding of social, cultural, economic and broader implications,” added Nukeri.
In addition to increasing their knowledge and gaining experience in the debating arena, the past two years’ winners were awarded a trip to New York, which included scientific exploration as well as tourism. According to Saasta, the prize for 2014 will be a surprise.
It was also the first time social media was incorporated into the completion, adding extra appeal and relevance to the experience of its teenage participants.
Suikerland Secondary School will compete against eight other provincial winners at the national final in Johannesburg on December 4.
